Saran Lotfollahzadeh

I am a physician-scientist passionate about understanding the molecular pathobiology driving fundamental processes, with a translational research focus on cardiometabolic risk factors. My long-term goal is to become an independent physician-scientist at the intersection of cardiometabolic risk factors and vascular disease, driving research that translates clinical needs into impactful therapies. After medical school, I embarked on an integrated five-year general and vascular surgery residency program followed by a clinical fellowship in pediatric surgery focusing on cardiovascular complications and hemodialysis access in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). In doing so, I developed a deep appreciation of the impact of vascular morbidities on global disease burden. During my clinical training, I performed epidemiological research in an interdisciplinary setup as a country lead with a group in King’s College, UK. Previously, I had been involved in clinical research and primarily association studies. Because I wanted to gain exposure to mechanistic studies, I joined Boston Medical Center. With my clinical experience in vascular medicine, oncosurgery, and research experience in thrombosis, I was granted an American Heart Association Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) fellowship in cardio-oncology. I have developed and published a wide array of advanced vascular animal models. I have a unique perspective on being underrepresented in science and research and am committed to supporting individuals from all backgrounds in their scientific training. To that end, I have had the privilege to continuously mentor master’s students, medical/dental school applicants, and aspiring surgery and pathology residents from underrepresented minorities at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. I aim to combine my unique clinical training, my experience in basic and translational research, and my clinical research training (MSCR) to build a well-rounded foundation that will enable me to become an accomplished independent surgeon-scientist.